Middlesbrough Gazette 27 06 1918
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Jonathan (John) Ernest Porritt was born 1897 at Brotton, Yorkshire, one of 7 children of whom only 5 survived, 2 sons and 3 daughters. His father Jacob Porritt also born at Brotton in 1870 married at Guisborough, Yorkshire in 1889, Georgina Branch Chapman born 1872 at Broomhill, Northumberland. Newly married they lived at 9, Railway Terrace, Brotton, Jacob was employed as an ironstone miner, by 1901 he was a deputy. They moved to Gateshead in about 1908 where their youngest child was born, Jacob had changed his occupation from iron mining to coal mining by 1911, finding work and living at 5, Barnesbury, Benwell, Jonathan Ernest (15) was employed as a page boy at the Central Hotel.
On the outbreak of war the family were living at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham where Jonathan Ernest Porritt enlisted, September 1914 assigned as Private 321 to the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. The battalion began training near home then moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was too wet for training and the Division moved to Wensley and Richmond in Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. Private Porritt departed to France November 22nd 1915.and rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal whilst serving on the Western Front, The 16th Battalion as part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division during 1916 fought on the Somme, in 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Ancre and Hindenburg Line. Twice wounded, once in 1916 and again in 1917 when he returned to England. Early 1918 having studied and been offered a commission, November 17th 1917 attached to the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers he returned to France.
2nd Lieutenant Jonathan (John) Ernest Porritt Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action May 27th 1918 in the Aisne sector on the Somme, France, he was 21 years old. His sacrifice is recorded as one of almost 4,000 names of officers and men of the United Kingdom commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France, who died in the sector during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and who have no known grave.
His father Jacob received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal sent to the address of 11 Havelock Street, Heworth, Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Jonathan (John) Ernest Porritt is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Felling on F32.05 and in the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour
